The context of a scene determines my reception, not just the actions of characters. When a best-friend dies in an action film, this serves as motivation for the hero to continue the good fight, despite the danger. In a drama, the protagonist must process the pain, loss and grief of a loved one’s death and continue the motions of life. Similar fact pattern, but radically different execution and effect on the characters or audience.

This is why I gravitate towards action-adventure romps, sci-fi epics, fantasy journeys and kid’s stories. The stakes are the entire world, but there isn’t emotional baggage attached. In dramas, the protagonist a victim of events or a deplorable person who wants to make the wrong choice. I am asked to watch a story with characters I relate to destroyed by the world with no recourse or seeing someone I would never associate with ruin the lives of people around them with reckless abandon. Neither is desirable.

Addiction, spousal abuse, depression, infidelity, murder, corruption, suicide and the impact of real world issues are not how I choose to spend my entertainment time. I prefer to engage with fun adventures or something that could make me laugh. I recognize that the universe is not always sunshine and rainbows. I don’t need a reminder of the atrocities around us through my entertainment proprieties.

I recognize I am missing out on many of the best films and shows with this policy. Actors hone their craft while playing roles with true weight behind their action. I’m certain performances with an equally talented member of the guild come across more powerful than when acting opposite a CGI tentacle monster. Directors flex their talents and frame scenes which make the audience feel the pain on screen. These creators are talented at their trade, almost too well. Because I can’t turn off my receptors and just watch the scene play out, I feel the emotion of the story even when I don’t want to. My only recourse is to not watch.

My favorite films still contain dramatic elements, but the environment and sentiment differ. When Marty McFly speeds towards the clock tower to go Back to the Future the audience is tense and cheers with him to victory. When characters in a drama race towards their destiny, there is a sense of dread and worry as their fates end. It’s not the unknown which creates tension within the audience, characters die (or not) in both serious works and flights of fancy. It’s that downbeat portions of the drama linger longer with the viewer than the excitement of an adventure.

Our brains are hardwired to remember negative stimuli longer and more vividly. It will take ten positive encounters to counterbalance a harsh one. I can’t control when off-putting situations arise in my life, but I can dictate when I digest adverse forms of media.

I’ll watch the fictional escapades of Indiana Jones fighting Nazi’s as opposed to the well-told, cruel realism of Schindler’s List every time. Not too escape reality, but because I’m well aware of the problems we encounter as individuals and pitfalls of society.

Christopher Peterson is an avid fan of all things relating to videogames, movies and television. He’s also a pretty awesome guy to know, just ask him. If you liked this post, check out all of his MyIGN blogs. For random thoughts follow @NerdEXP on Twitter.

Superman is the most powerful being in the galaxy (at least in his universe) but every time he goes against Bruce Wayne, he loses. Why? The flight, speed, laser beams, ice breath and invulnerability are defeated by the world’s first cosplayer. Because at the end of the day, Batman possess a keen intellect that is able to analyze the situation and deduce the most appropriate tactic for the situation. (He keeps shark-repellent on hand, for goodness sake). The Justice League story arc, The Tower of Babel, proves that with the necessary preparation time Batman is capable of dismantling the entire team.

Characters with knowledge always have the upper hand. Even in the villain community, the mastermind is not the most powerful, deadly or eccentric of the bunch but the cleverest. Doctor Doom is the most feared despot in the Marvel Universe because he can outwit anyone. He is able to outmaneuver the likes of Reed Richards, Tony Stark and anyone foolish enough to stand in his goals. (It’s his ego that is his downfall.) His technological achievements, doombots and magical prowess (…its comics) all originate from his overpowering intellect.

Intelligence, when used properly, is the most valuable asset a character can posses. This is one of the most entertaining and unique styles when portrayed in a character:

Doctor Who

He’s lived for 900 years, witnessed the end of time and can see the entirety of the universe unfold around him. Instead of viewing events in chronological order, he knows that time is a big ball of timey-wimey time stuff. The Doctor knows the secrets of the universe but is still able to find wonder and beauty in the most basic of situations. A girl with an aimless life, a jealous boyfriend or a girl who waited; The Doctor can see the full potential in all of them. “In the whole universe, I’ve never met anybody who wasn’t somebody”

He is a lanky raggedy doll man, sure he might win a sword fight or run, but most of his victories stem from knowledge. The Doctor doesn’t see his villains as a threat to himself, but a puzzle that must be solved. Just because a creature lives only for destruction, The Doctor still sees the brilliance of its design. Even when defeating the vilest entities in the universe, he always offers them redemption; a chance to be more than their base instincts. The Doctor’s knowledge extends beyond the hidden truths in the universe, but the ultimate belief that there is good in everyone.

“He's like fire and ice and rage. He's like the night and the storm in the heart of the sun. He's ancient and forever. He burns at the centre of time and can see the turn of the universe. and... he's wonderful.”

Chuck

Editor’s Note: I am referring to Seasons 1 & 2, aka when the show was amazing.

When all of the world’s secrets are downloaded into his head, Charles Bartowski becomes the most important asset to national security. Chuck has zero fighting skills. He is a liability in battle and should just stay in the car. But he is the hero, and not just because of the Intersect burning through his brain but his instincts. He is able to sort out the villain’s plans, determine their motivation and draw parallels from his civilian life to outwit the world’s deadliest assassins.

Chuck is protected by his handlers, Sarah and John, who do all of the heavy lifting but it is ultimately he who saves the day. They are his reluctant assistants, his team or at worst his sidekicks. He is the mastermind behind the entire operation and is humble enough to never see it that way. When nuclear doom is eminent, it’s up to Chuck to realize that by reaching the kill screen on Missile Commander will the codes to save the world be revealed. When a bomb is about to detonate, Chuck knows that an internet virus can destroy the software. His mind is unconventional, but his results are exactly what is needed.

The Challenge

Who do you think is the smartest characters in media? Who has the capability, knowledge and intuition necessary to outwit their opponents but isn’t capable of defeating them in combat? Only heroes or villains, or the in-between guys, who are mentally gifted but physically weak should be included.

I'd love to see what the community creates and the characters who fit this style. The brainier, the better. This post was inspired by Lost_in_Translation's Weekly Community Blog Challenge and I encourage to write your own favorite style.

Christopher Peterson is an avid fan of all things relating to videogames, movies and television. He’s also a pretty awesome guy to know, just ask him. If you liked this post, check out all of his MyIGN blogs. For random thoughts follow @NerdEXP on Twitter.

Depending on how you played Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Miles Prower (get it…miles per hour) was potentially a god. With a second controller plugged in, Player 2 could take control of Tails. He was no longer regulated to being Sonic’s shadow. He wasn’t as fast as Sonic but still capable of defeating bad guys; best of all…if he was hit he would rejuvenate even without a ring. This provided players an opportunity to use Tails as an infinitely respawning pawn on their path to defeat Dr. Robotnik. Tails was the first sidekick introduced into the Sonic universe; his fan-reception was well received enough for copycat entries Knuckles, Shadow and Amy to overcrowd Sonic games. Despite the state the blue speedster finds himself in nowadays, Tails will always have a special place as being the best sidekick a mascot could ask for.

4. Vegeta

He would be angry to be on this list, much less not number one. But that is what makes Vegeta as popular as he is; anger and pride. The crown prince of all Saiyans is a competent fighter, strategist and leader–the problem is that Goku is always better. Vegeta wants to be the very best, the best there ever was but his determination and natural ability aren’t enough to overcome Goku’s heart. Throughout the series, Vegeta serves as Goku’s rival and is oftentimes a reluctant hero. Whenever a big bad arrives, Vegeta is on the front lines and typically stalling until Goku can arrive and save the day. Vegeta proves to be a necessary support player, either saving the team from Frieza, contributing in the defeat to Cell or completing a fusion with Goku to reach a power level over 9.000!!!!

3. Rose Tyler

The Doctor is anger, pain, suffering contained in a lost boy running away from his problems. His companions ground him and bring out the hero underneath the righteous rage. For the viewer, companions offer a conduit to enter The Doctor’s world. No companion served this purpose better than Rose. She is an everyday girl, worried about what her friends are doing, an on-again-off-again relationship and no real direction in her life. The Doctor changes all that when she is able to travel throughout time and space. Rose changes The Doctor by softening his gruff exterior and revealing a man who simply needs companionship. Often times on their adventures, The Doctor will find an extraordinary explanation for the situation and motivations of foes, but Rose is able to point out the humanity throughout it all.

2. Dr. Watson

Sherlock Holmes is the greatest detective the world has ever seen, but incapable of recognizing the patterns of acceptable human behavior. His overwhelming intelligence prevents him from integrating with normal society. Dr. Watson provides this insight. Holmes is brilliant but unfocused, Watson is able to steer Holmes in the correct direction. Watson is a sounding board wherein Holmes can pitch ideas and see what feels like a plausible solution. Even when he has all the necessary pieces to solve a puzzle, sometimes an offhanded comment from Watson can provide the last spark necessary to bring the entire matter to close. In Sherlock, a brilliant show on BBC, Holmes says it best “If you want someone to solve your murder, call Sherlock Holmes. If you want someone to save your life, call John Watson.”

1. Oracle

Information is power. Barbara Gordon can access all knowledge. When the Joker shot Barbara, paralyzing her from the waist down, her days as Batgirl were over. Instead of focusing on her loss, she redoubled her efforts as a computer genius, accumulated the tools and skills necessary to access any database. Using her understanding of the criminal underground, Cadmus labs, Lexcorp, Wayne Tech and any other organization connected to the Internet, Oracle was the hub of the superhero community. Batman relied on her expertise and abilities more so than anyone is his rotating roster of Robins. She oversaw operations for the Birds of Prey and was a vital contributor to the Justice League. Despite the loss of her legs (until a continuity reboot...because...comics) and knowing everyone’s dirty secrets, Barbara remained a positive role model and influence on all those around her. She was no longer a combatant in the struggle against super villains but she was leading the fight.

Christopher Peterson is an avid fan of all things relating to videogames, movies and comics. He’s also a pretty awesome guy to know, just ask him. If you liked this post, check out all of his MyIGN blogs. For random thoughts follow @ChristaticGuy on Twitter.